Diane Barnwell Sumner

Diane Barnwell Sumner, 86, a lifelong resident of Metairie, Louisiana and most recently Covington, Louisiana passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on January 19, 2026. Diane is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Sumner Hewitt (Rob) and Stephanie Sumner Bass (Ricky). She was also survived by her precious grandchildren Caroline, Liza and Leighton Hewitt and Sumner and Gibson Bass. She was predeceased by her loving husband of almost 60 years, George Russell Sumner, her father William Crane Barnwell and her mother Don Andrews Barnwell. Born on June 25, 1939, in Bogalusa, Louisiana, Diane graduated from Bogalusa High School and attended Louisiana State University where she was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity. Diane graduated from University of Southern Mississippi in Biology and upon graduation completed an internship in Medical Technology at Ochsner Foundation Hospital. She worked in hematology at Ochsner and in Cancer Research at Tulane Medical School. After the birth of her first child, Diane devoted her life to her family. She was deeply involved at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, where her two daughters graduated, serving as President of the Mother’s Club and participating in numerous activities. Diane was also very involved in the Chi Omega Alumnae chapter in New Orleans, where she served as President and Out-of-State Recommendation Chairman. A proud member of Chi Omega, she found great joy in seeing both her daughters and two granddaughters follow in her footsteps. Diane devoted many years to volunteering at WYES, the non-profit PBS station in New Orleans, serving as Processing Chairman for the station’s annual auction. She was a member of the Orleans Club and Entre Nous Book Club. Diane possessed a rare gift for connection and never met a stranger; her greatest happiness came from being surrounded by people, laughter, and conversation. The true embodiment of a Southern steel magnolia, she was polished but powerful--fiercely devoted to her family and blessed with the sweetest Southern drawl that filled our lives with comfort and love. Diane treasured time spent with her family above all else. She created a childhood for her daughters and their friends that was warm, nurtured and filled with joy, and the deep, abiding love she shared with her husband was a beautiful and enduring example for her children. As “Dee Dee”, she was a fun-loving, devoted, and endlessly caring grandmother to her five grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent with them. Together, Diane and George loved traveling, enjoying dinners with dear friends, and ending each day with a cocktail on their back porch. Diane also found joy in playing bridge with numerous friends, doing Pilates and reading. She left this world just as she lived every day of her life—with timeless elegance, radiant beauty, and boundless love.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124 on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until service time. A private interment for the family will follow in Metairie Cemetery. For those who would like to honor her with a memorial, please consider donations to Chi Omega Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank New Orleans, or the charity of your choice. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com